Guardiola touts Egyptian star Marmoush as Haaland injury replacement

With goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland ruled out for up to eight weeks due to an injury, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has cited Egyptian Omar Marmoush among the Norwegian’s replacements.

Guardiola gave an update on Haaland who limped off on Sunday during the FA Cup quarterfinal win at Bournemouth with his replacement Marmoush seizing the opportunity to score the winner. City won the game 2-1 to proceed to the FA Cup semifinals.

Therefore, ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League game against struggling Leicester City, Guardiola, who is enduring a torrid season, insists he has enough striking options in Haaland’s absence.

“He [Marmoush] can play there. He likes to play close to the box. He loves to score and he has a sense of goal definitely,” Guardiola said referring to the Egyptian.

The Spaniard added that apart from Marmoush, other players such as Phil Foden can also lead the frontline as the focal point of attack. He added: “Phil can play there, Macca [James McAtee] can play there, Oscar Bobb can play there. There are players that can play there.”

The 26-year-old former Eintracht Frankfurt forward has taken his tally to five goals since his dream transfer in January from the Bundesliga to the reigning Premier League champions.